Anthurium Clarinervium

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies”

Emergence of Anthurium Clarinervium

During a trip to southeast Mexico to reconnoiter its fauna and flora in 1952, Eizi Matuda discovered this species for the first time. He classified it as Anthurium, a genus named after Wilhelm Heinrish Schott in the 1830s, and gave it the specific epithet ‘clarinevium,’ which means ‘distinctly nerved or veined’ in contemporary Latin.

Anthurium clarinervium, an aroid of the Andiphyllum section, is a stunning Mexican perennial foliage houseplant that thrives/blooms in rocky landscapes with shaded limestone outcroppings or karst. This genus of flowering plants is well-loved for its luscious green leaves and air-purifying abilities. Thus, giving you a good balance of aesthetics and benefits.

The exotic-looking species is famous in the horticultural community for its unique features. It comes with huge dark green deeply lobed heart-shaped leaves with contrasting creamy-white veins. These are not only eye-catching but it also feels smooth and velvety to touch as well. The plant is truly worth being called ‘a beauty with a purpose.

It’s not a plant for beginners, but it’s not too temperamental if the basic needs are met – and the plant is worth some extra attention. Let’s look at everything you need to know about Anthurium clarinervium care to keep this unique aroid thriving.

Ideal Location & Light Requirements

Perfecting the amount of light an Anthurium receives is crucial for an enduring specimen. During the spring and summer, make sure to provide a brightly lit spot away from any direct sunlight. Filtered, diffused sunlight is the ultimate goal of its survival.  Excessive exposure or increased temperature during this time might burn the leaves if touched; ultimately resulting in dehydration.

Once the autumn kicks in, be sure to include an hour or two of direct light per day to get it through the dormancy period, lasting until the following spring. The plant is also cold-resistant, however, if the temperature drops below 53-59 °F or 12-15 °C you should bring your Anthurium clarinervium indoors.

For healthy development, the ideal place to put an Anthurium clarinervium is on an east-facing windowsill. West-facing windows are also effective as long as the plant isn’t exposed to intense late afternoon. Depending upon your latitude, you may need to move the plant a few feet away from the window, provide sheer curtains, or provide additional protection.

If your Anthurium clarinervium starts to bend and the leaves start to look a bit flimsy or fragile, it indicates that it needs more light. These indicators can assist you in determining how much light your Anthurium clarinervium needs so that you can adapt the conditions to its likings.

Ideal Soil Requirements

Healthy soil leads to healthy plants!

“To be a successful farmer, one must first know the nature of soil”

As previously stated, anthurium clarinervium is an epiphyte. That is, they are more used to being planted high above the trees rather than on the ground. On that point, this anthurium would benefit from being planted in a loose, well-draining soil mix.

When the roots of velvet cardboard are exposed to moist and heavy soil for an extended period, they invariably suffer from root rotting. If the problem is not treated immediately, it will quickly spread across the whole root system and the plant will no longer be able to absorb nutrients thereby resulting in the death of the plant.

So, to make a perfect combination, combine orchid barks, peat moss, and perlite into normal potting soil. The combination of these factors contributes to optimal aeration. Simultaneously, it retains part of the moisture to keep the plant hydrated without getting waterlogged.

Choosing the correct soil is an essential part of Anthurium clarinervium care. The roots want constant access to oxygen without drying out and are prone to rot if the mix stays too damp. A loose, chunky mix is better than a finer gradient; the medium should be open enough to let the roots breathe even after a good soaking.

You can also use organic materials like horticultural charcoal, mulch, and sphagnum moss. All of these things can help maintain the soil loose and wet enough to aid drainage and keep it from becoming waterlogged. Even better, you may buy pre-made orchid potting soil mixes to save time.

Watering the Anthurium Clarinervium

“You need to Nourish to Flourish”

“Water the roots so the plant can bloom”

Watering your Anthurium clarinervium, just like any other plant; is imperative in not only growing it but also taking care of it to help it thrive in the long run. The watering requirements depend on the growing season and the growing season can change depending on where you reside and the clime of your place.

The growing season in a medium climate, which is prevalent in Western Europe and the United States, begins in mid-to-late March and ends in mid-to-late September. So, if you reside in these locations, you should water your Anthurium clarinervium more frequently during the growing season than during winters.

So, when the season begins, or when temperatures climb to approximately 59 °F or 15 °C, keep the soil moist enough to hold some water, but allow the top portion of the soil to dry out before watering it again. This means you should water your Anthurium clarinervium once a week and verify the dryness of the top inch of soil with your finger or a wooden stick before rewatering it.

Anthuriums, like many orchids, are epiphytes so they grow on trees and tree branches. They are often sodden from recurring rains, but they dry off fast since their roots are considerably more exposed because of the way they grow.

This is what you must replicate at home to be successful. Allowing these plants to stay in water longer may cause them to die or decay. After you water thoroughly, make sure that you discard any surplus water. Allow it to drain completely. Don’t let any sit in the saucer underneath, just allow the soil’s top third to dry out between watering’s, reducing this further in the autumn and winter.

Temperature

The anthurium clarinervium demands an average room temperature to thrive which ranges from 65°F to 73°F. Anything outside of this range is likely to cause difficulties. Also, since it is sensitive to cold temperatures, try that the temperature should not drop below 55°F. Otherwise, it will cause dormancy or at worst might freeze your plant.

On the other hand, exposing your anthurium to excessive heat is also not recommended. A temperature above 86°F can also harm and burn your plant.

Too many temperature changes are not appropriate for anthuriums. Drastic shifts between warm and cold can be stressful for your plant which might result in slow, lanky development even causing its leaves to fall off.

Humidity

Anthurium clarinervium evolved in South and Central American tropical rainforests, as a result of which this plant loves to enjoy dampness. It requires at least 80% humidity to flourish.

Moisture promotes its healthy growth while keeping its rich green leaves and creamy white veins lively and vibrant.

Fertilizing Velvet Cardboard Anthurium

For many plants, Fertilization is usually optional and does not make or break the growing process, similarly, Anthurium clarinervium is no different. However, if you do decide to fertilize your Anthurium clarinervium, you should know that it only needs an all-natural or mild fertilizer that you should only use during the growing season.

Since there are different types of fertilizers for Anthuriums in the market, it’s hard to say which one is the best because they all offer different effects. As per the research, liquid fertilizer with a high phosphorus content is best as it will strengthen your plant’s roots and stems without adding any unwanted chemicals.

Furthermore, because such fertilizers are strong and long-lasting, you should apply them once every three or four months, which means you may only use them twice during the season.

Of course, many people use regular fertilizers, such as Miracle-Gro, which is a medium-strength fertilizer that can be used on a variety of plants, so if you go that route, use it once a month during the season.

You should never use fertilizers during the winter season as the Anthurium clarinervium is susceptible to cold; therefore adding any fertilizers can damage it quite easily. Also, if you feel like your plant is getting wilt and the stems have started to bend while leaves look paler than usual, then it’s a heads-up for you to use some fertilizer to restore its natural shape.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning the anthurium clarinervium can be beneficial. Trimming away faded foliage, spindly stems, and sick or dead leaves can dramatically improve the appearance of the plant. But, most significantly, it encourages healthy growth.

The best time to prune your anthurium is during the springtime. It’s the time when the plant would be entering its active growing phase. Therefore, it is ideal to cut out all the unwanted parts ahead of time to make room for future growth.

When pruning it is important to use sharp and sterilized garden shears. A well-sharpened scissors make better and cleaner cuts thereby giving your plant less trauma. It’s also crucial to sanitize or disinfect your pruning equipment before and after each use. This approach aids in the prevention of disease transmission from one plant to another.

Propagation

The anthurium clarinervium can be propagated in a number of ways in which root division and stem cutting, are the most promising procedures. Both of these methods have a better likelihood of succeeding. However, other elements such as the type of soil utilized, irrigation, lighting, feeding, and so on would still play a significant role.

In root division, this can be accomplished by removing the entire plant from the pot. Gently loosen the soil and separate the roots into two or three segments. The root systems are quite delicate. So take your time and be as careful as possible to avoid causing more damage to the roots. Once separated, fill your pots with loose and well-draining soil mix. Use a new pot to plant the divided root and water the newly planted anthurium and place it under the bright light.

Stem cutting, on the other hand, is much less hurtful for the plant as you only cut parts of its stalk. To fix this, choose a healthy stem from new growth. Cut a few inches long from this stem. Make sure to cut at a slight angle for better water intake. After cutting, it is beneficial that you use a rooting hormone to enhance its ability to grow roots faster. To do so, generously dip the tip of your cuttings into the compound before planting into the fresh potting soil.

Conclusion

An exotic indoor plant is a beauty. Plant enthusiasts adore it as ornamental plants due to it being beautiful and staying healthy all year round which makes them an ideal plant to be grown at home. With proper care and attention, you can make any space stand out with its beautiful evergreen, deeply lobed, ovated leaves.

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